Herd Movements Research Articles

Predicting snow structures relevant to reindeer husbandry

ABSTRACT Snow conditions in the High North are an important control on wintertime forage availability for reindeer, and under climate change, they are changing rapidly. In the European Arctic, this has the potential to disrupt traditional reindeer herding practices, reindeer health, and local culture (including that of Indigenous communities like the Sámi). At the same time, Norwegian coastal cities are competing to act as multi-model transportation hubs as sea-ice retreat creates expectations for increased marine accessibility. An “Arctic Railway” connecting Rovaniemi to Kirkenes has been proposed to support these port developments, but this route passes through rangelands managed by Sámi and local herding communities. This study develops an assessment of past and future snow characteristics relevant to reindeer health to provide a context for understanding the impacts of this infrastructure development. Climate model and detailed snowpack simulations were performed for 1950 to 2100 along the proposed route. Results show that deep snow becomes less frequent and spring thaw advances, favorable to reindeer. However, icy snow conditions become more frequent, potentially forcing herds from tundra and farmland to forested areas. This suggests policy alternatives that focus on the development and maintenance of migration corridors to allow appropriate movement of reindeer herds.

Agent-Based Model for Analyzing the Impact of Movement Factors of Sahelian Transhumant Herds

Transhumants move their herds based on strategies simultaneously considering several environmental and socio-economic factors. There is no agreement on the influence of each factor in these strategies. In addition, there is a discussion about the social aspect of transhumance and how to manage pastoral space. In this context, agent-based modeling can analyze herd movements according to the strategy based on factors favored by the transhumant. This article presents a reductionist agent-based model that simulates herd movements based on a single factor. Model simulations based on algorithms to formalize the behavioral dynamics of transhumants through their strategies. The model results establish that vegetation, water outlets and the socio-economic network of transhumants have a significant temporal impact on transhumance. Water outlets and the socio-economic network have a significant spatial impact. The significant impact of the socio-economic factor demonstrates the social dimension of Sahelian transhumance. Veterinarians and markets have an insignificant spatio-temporal impact. To manage pastoral space, water outlets should be at least 15km\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$15\\ km$$\\end{document} from each other. The construction of veterinary centers, markets and the securitization of transhumance should be carried out close to villages and rangelands.

Correction to: Spatio-temporal movements of goat herds in a protected area of Mexico

Correction to: Spatio-temporal movements of goat herds in a protected area of Mexico

Sero-prevalence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia in dryland of Borana, southern Oromia, Ethiopia

Ethiopia is one of the largest African countries where livestock farming represent a relevant resource for the economy and the livelihood of the population. Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is among the transboundaries animal disease that is hindering cattle farming in Ethiopia. Due to the limited resources of veterinary services, disease control and surveillance is discontinuous and occasional field investigations of target areas contribute to depict disease spreading in the country. The study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence, at herd and animal level, and identify the risk factors involved in CBPP diffusion and persistence in the Borana pastoral zone. A total of 498 serum samples were collected from 120 cattle herds and tested using competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (c-ELISA). Of 120 herds sampled, 37 (30.83%; (95% CI = 22.73–39.91%) were tested positive to CBPP antibody. Out of 498 sera samples tested 46 (9.24%; 95% CI = 6.84–12.13%) were positive. The highest prevalence was observed in Teltele (12/95; 12.90%; 95% CI = 6.7–21%) followed by Yabello (12/104; 11.54%; 95% CI = 6.1–19.3%) and Arero (10/91; 10.99%; 95% CI = 95% CI = 5.4–19.3%), whereas the lowest prevalence was observed in Gomole (5/101; 6.42%; 95% CI = 1.6–11.2%) and Dubluk (7/109; 4.95%; 95% CI = 2.6–12.8%) districts and statistically not significant (p > 0.05). Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that, age, herd movement and herd size of the animals had statistically significant effect on sero-positivity to CBPP (p < 0.05). Sex, season and body condition were not significantly (p > 0.05) associated with the occurrence of CBPP. The study confirms that CBPP is persistent in the territory and remain as a major problem that affects health and productivity of cattle. Therefore, awareness creation to the pastoralists in the study area about the effect of CBPP and designing appropriate control methods has a paramount importance to improve the health and productivity of cattle production in the area.

Production systems and breeding practices of Begaria cattle breed as input for a community-based breeding program

This study aimed to describe the production systems and breeding practices of Begaria cattle breeds as a resource for community-based conservation and breeding program. A semi-structured questionnaire and focus group discussions were employed to identify and describe the breeding practice of the farmer. Three kebeles: Almahal, Fanguso, and Mankush were considered for the study. The data were analyzed using R software. Cattle were kept for a variety of reasons, including milk, breeding, meat, cash, and saving. It was typical throughout the study area to see herd mixing and keeping together (4.7 ± 0.33 herds on average), herd movement during the dry season, and breeding bull sharing (1.9 ± 1.55 shared bulls). During the summer season, cattle rearing in the areas was hindered by feed and water shortages. The breed's major reproduction constraints were abortion (24 %), repeat breeding (19), and calf mortality (14). The primary reason for keeping Begaria cattle was for milk (29 %), cash (26), meat (22), and breeding (0.22). The average age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI) and milk yield per day of the breed were 41.5 ± 1.63, 16.0 ± 0.43 months, and 3.2 ± 0.12 L respectively. The average age of breeding bull selection was 3 ± 0.1 years, and it was based on several criteria, including their phenotype, growth, and white coat colour. Based on the current findings, it is recommended that a multi-trait selection program be designed with full stakeholder participation.

Investigation and analysis of porcine epidemic diarrhea cases and evaluation of different immunization strategies in the large-scale swine farming system

BackgroundPorcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a contagious intestinal disease caused by porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and dehydration, which has caused huge economic losses around the world. However, it is very hard to find completely valid approaches to control the transmission of PEDV. At present, vaccine immunity remains the most effective method. To better control the spread of PED and evaluate the validity of different immunization strategies, 240 PED outbreak cases from 577 swine breeding farms were collected and analyzed. The objective of the present study was to analyze the epidemic regularity of PEDV and evaluate two kinds of different immunization strategies for controlling PED.ResultsThe results showed that the main reasons which led to the outbreak of PED were the movement of pig herds between different pig farms (41.7%) and delaying piglets from the normal production flow (15.8%). The prevalence of PEDV in the hot season (May to October) was obviously higher than that in the cold season (January to April, November to December). Results of different vaccine immunity cases showed that immunization with the highly virulent live vaccine (NH-TA2020 strain) and the commercial inactivated vaccine could significantly decrease the frequency of swine breeding farms (5.9%), the duration of PED epidemic (1.70 weeks), and the week batches of dead piglets (0.48 weeks weaned piglets), compared with immunization with commercial attenuated vaccines and inactivated vaccine of PED. Meanwhile, immunization with the highly virulent live vaccine and the commercial inactivated vaccine could bring us more cash flows of Y̶275,274 per year than immunization with commercial live attenuated vaccine and inactivated vaccine in one 3000 sow pig farm within one year.ConclusionTherefore, immunization with highly virulent live vaccine and inactivated vaccine of PED is more effective and economical in the prevention and control of PED in the large-scale swine farming system.

An evaluation of parameters which affect dairy herd movement on Irish pasture-based farms

AbstractIn pasture-based grazing systems, farm roadways are a pivotal link to connect paddocks on the grazing platform to the milking parlour. However, their effectiveness in the efficient movement of the dairy herd between the grazing paddocks and the milking parlour has yet to be fully quantified. A validation experiment was conducted on a research farm to analyse characteristics on farm roadways that may affect cow throughput, which was observed as the number of cows per minute (CPM) passing a specified location. Roadway width (R2 = 0.96) and surface condition score (SC) (R2 = 0.78, respectively) were both positively associated with CPM. Public road crossings imposed a 32.7% reduction in CPM in this study. CPM increased from 12.4 CPM on a one-metre-wide roadway with a SC of Index 1 to 107.6 CPM on a five-metre roadway with a SC of Index 5. This exercise allowed for CPM on commercial farms to be predicted. Farm roadways were examined across 55 Irish dairy farms. Greater roadway width, reduced verge width and greater water run-off were each associated with higher SC on commercial farms. Larger herd sizes had a lower CPM relative to herd size in contrast to smaller herd sizes, resulting in a significantly longer total time to move the dairy herd through any specific point on the farm roadway network. The findings from this study have quantified the parameters which affect both CPM on commercial farm roadways and parameters which may be associated with SC on commercial farm roadways.

Local and wide-scale livestock movement networks inform disease control strategies in East Africa

Livestock mobility exacerbates infectious disease risks across sub-Saharan Africa, but enables critical access to grazing and water resources, and trade. Identifying locations of high livestock traffic offers opportunities for targeted control. We focus on Tanzanian agropastoral and pastoral communities that account respectively for over 75% and 15% of livestock husbandry in eastern Africa. We construct networks of livestock connectivity based on participatory mapping data on herd movements reported by village livestock keepers as well as data from trading points to understand how seasonal availability of resources, land-use and trade influence the movements of livestock. In communities that practise agropastoralism, inter- and intra-village connectivity through communal livestock resources (e.g. pasture and water) was 1.9 times higher in the dry compared to the wet season suggesting greater livestock traffic and increased contact probability. In contrast, livestock from pastoral communities were 1.6 times more connected at communal locations during the wet season when they also tended to move farther (by 3 km compared to the dry season). Trade-linked movements were twice more likely from rural to urban locations. Urban locations were central to all networks, particularly those with potentially high onward movements, for example to abattoirs, livestock holding grounds, or other markets, including beyond national boundaries. We demonstrate how livestock movement information can be used to devise strategic interventions that target critical livestock aggregation points (i.e. locations of high centrality values) and times (i.e. prior to and after the wet season in pastoral and agropastoral areas, respectively). Such targeted interventions are a cost-effective approach to limit infection without restricting livestock mobility critical to sustainable livelihoods.

From Pyrenees to Andes: The relationship between transhumant livestock and vultures

Transhumance is the traditional livestock practice consisting in the seasonal movement of herds between winter and summer pastures. Transhumance have important effects on the ecosystem functions from local to regional scales. Here, we 1) explored the relationship of vultures to transhumant herds, and 2) tested whether there is a shift on the use of space by vultures due to the decline of transhumance. For that, we first assessed whether vultures follow transhumant herds in two mountain areas with transhumant tradition, Pyrenees (Spain) and Andes (Argentina). Second, we compared both systems to determine whether the impact of transhumance on the use of space of vultures is greater in the area where transhumance is still relevant (Andes) than where this activity is in decline (Pyrenees). For this purpose, we analyzed the use of the summer pastures made by 50 griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) and 18 Andean condors (Vultur gryphus), as assessed by GPS tracking. Our findings showed that both species respond to transhumance by making greater use of summer pastures when herds are present. A higher proportion of condors made use of summer pastures than griffons, and condors individually made a more intense use of it than griffons. Differences could be explained by the fact that transhumance in the Andes is still important while in the Pyrenees is declining and the amount of carrion provided is lower. Given that the abandonment of traditional activities is a phenomenon underway, it is urgent to evaluate the effects it will have on biodiversity conservation.

Bayesian latent-class modelling of quarantine testing procedures for American Bison (Bison bison) in the Greater Yellowstone Area to determine Brucella abortus freedom.

American bison (Bison bison) quarantine protocols were established to prevent transmission of brucellosis outside the Greater Yellowstone Area, while allowing for distribution of wild bison for conservation and cultural purposes. Quarantine standards require rigorous testing over 900 days which has led to the release of over 200 bison to Native American tribes. Standards were evaluated using 15 years of laboratory and management data to minimize the burden of testing and increase the number of brucellosis-free bison available for distribution. All bison (n = 578) from Yellowstone National Park were corralled by the National Park Service and United States Department of Agriculture. A statistical and management evaluation of the bison quarantine program was performed. Bayesian latent-class modeling was used to predict the probability of nondetection of a seroreactor at various time points, as well as the probability of seroconversion by days in quarantine. At 300 days, 1 in 1,000 infected bison (0.0014 probability) would not be detected but could potentially seroconvert; the seroconversion model predicted 99.9% would seroconvert by day 294, and 12.8% of bison enrolled in quarantine would seroconvert over time. Using a 300-day quarantine period, it would take 30 years to potentially miss 1 seroreactor out of over 8,000 bison enrolled in the quarantine program. Reducing the quarantine program requirements from over 900 days to 300 days would allow management of quarantined bison in coordination with seasonal movement of bison herds and triple the number of brucellosis-free bison available for distribution.

Animal husbandry in Sicilian prehistory: The zooarchaeological perspective from Vallone Inferno (Scillato, Palermo)

Starting in the mid-6th millennium cal BCE, Neolithic groups occupied the midlands of Sicily. The economy of these groups was based primarily on livestock farming. Archaeological and archaeobotanical data indicate an intensification of livestock practices during the Early Bronze Age, leading to a change in the landscape in the form of more open forests.The Vallone Inferno rockshelter in the Madonie massif is one of the few sites that has been systematically excavated in these midlands, and has yielded evidence of Middle Neolithic and Early Bronze Age occupations. This work focuses on the study of prehistoric husbandry in the Sicilian midlands and highlands through the analysis of the Vallone Inferno faunal remains. Although the Middle Neolithic and Early Bronze Age faunal assemblages of Vallone Inferno are mixed, the paucity of information from other sites in this area makes their study worthwhile. The faunal remains were analysed by means of a zooarchaeological and taphonomic study.Prehistoric Sicilian shepherds adapted to the conditions and resources of the Madonie massif midlands and highlands through husbandry and hunting practices. Husbandry was based on raising sheep and goats for meat and milk and exploiting their derivatives. Cattle, pigs and hunted animals were also exploited for their meat. The hunting of deer, leporids and, most probably, wild boar for meat and skins complemented livestock farming.Although mortality profiles should be interpreted with caution, the rockshelter was probably occupied seasonally as a sheepfold during the breeding months and most likely served as an intermediate settlement between herd movements across the Madonie massif. These occupations coincide with a period in which the forests were opened up in the Madonie mountains, which is related to the practice of livestock farming.

Investigating Past Livestock Mobility Using δ34S Stable Isotopes: Three Preliminary Case Studies From Prehistoric Croatia

The benefit of including sulfur (δ³⁴S) stable isotopes in studies of past human diet and migration is increasingly clear, but δ³⁴S analyses remain underutilized in addressing other patterns of mobility, animal management, and environmental change in the archaeological record. Here we evaluate the ability of δ³⁴S isotope values to act as proxies for prehistoric environments in three distinct regions of Croatia: northern Dalmatia, Lika, and central Croatia. We then assess if δ³⁴S isotope values can highlight differences in herding and management practices of livestock in these areas, specifically those that encourage the movement of herds into various parts of the landscape (e.g., transhumance vs. localized grazing). Analysis of faunal stable isotope values from these geographically diverse sites constitute the first step in building an environmental database for Croatia and addressing questions of how δ³⁴S can be applied to questions about animal husbandry in the archaeological record.

Regional expansion of the beef industry in Brazil: from the coast to the Amazon, 1966–2017

ABSTRACT A regional approach to the study of Brazil’s beef industry is increasingly relevant as deforestation takes centre stage in policy debates worldwide. To what extent has beef production expanded toward regions hosting sensitive ecosystems such as the Amazon? Important data limitations remain to answer this question, especially regarding slaughterhouses, fundamental to the beef supply chain. This paper addresses the data gap on slaughterhouse location and history and provides novel regional analysis. We map the beef industry’s evolution into Brazil’s interior over the last six decades and quantify changes in market concentration between 2006 and 2016. To accomplish this, we triangulated across fiscal and animal sanitation data sources to produce the first longitudinal dataset with information on the opening and closing dates, locations, and production volumes of 2602 slaughterhouses. We show the linear movement of slaughterhouses and cattle herds to the Amazon by tracking their geographical centres of gravity. We also show the clustering pattern of slaughterhouses. Until the 1960s, all the geographical clusters were located south of the capital, Brasília. By the early 2000s, clusters north of Brasília were almost as extensive. Finally, we assessed the degree of market power that the largest beef-processing companies possess. The results indicate that market concentration increased in regions of more recent settlement further away from the coast, and that it remained relatively stable in states near the coast (Minas Gerais, São Paulo). The results shed light on the relationship between displacement toward the Amazon and Cerrado regions and economic concentration.

Coupled biophysical and decision-making processes in grassland systems in East African savannahs – A modelling framework

Increasing livestock densities on limited grazing areas in African savannahs lead to resource degradation through overgrazing, aggravated by drought. Assessing herd management strategies over longer periods at landscape scale is important to propose options for sustainable land use. This requires an understanding of processes related to hydrology, nutrient cycling, herd movement, pasture degradation, and animal resilience that involve dynamic soil-plant-animal interactions and human decisions about stocking rates, livestock purchases and sales.We present the coupled model system MPMAS-LUCIA-LIVSIM (MLL), the combination of a spatially explicit agent-based model for human decision-making (MPMAS), a spatially distributed landscape model for water flows, nutrient cycles and plant growth (LUCIA), and a herd model (LIVSIM) representing grazing, body weight, nutrition and excreta of individual animals. MLL represents daily vegetation growth in response to grazing and organic inputs, monthly animal performance influenced by forage availability and quality, and herders’ management in response to resource status. New modules for selective grazing, resprouting of pasture, herd movement and model coupling were developed for MLL.The test case of a pastoral system in the Ethiopian Borana region demonstrates the capabilities of MLL to simulate key soil-plant-animal-human interactions under climate-related management scenarios with varying access to grazing land, changing cattle prices and different spending / saving behaviour of herders. 20-year simulations showed the negative impact of consecutive drought years on vegetation biomass, on herd development and movement and how reserving grazing areas for dry seasons could mitigate overgrazing and improve income. Seasonality and drought response of vegetation growth, selective grazing of different plant parts, resprouting after grazing, calving intervals, milk yields and lactation in response to forage supply and quality as well as herder reactions to shocks were plausibly represented.Building upon this successful proof-of-concept, MLL can be used to identify robust management options for improved grazing systems in savannahs in follow-up research.

Ландшафты Средневековья: Фернан Бродель о проблеме кочевничества в средневековом мире Средиземноморья

The scientific heritage of Fernand Braudel, the outstanding French scientist and the recognized leader of the second generation of the historical school “Annales”, continues to be of great historiographical interest. However, not all aspects of his research have been adequately evaluated. The authors of this study examine the conceptual approaches of F. Braudel to the history of interaction between man and nature in the Mediterranean and adjacent regions through the problem of nomadism. The method of considering this issue corresponds to the basic principles of historiographic research: Identifying the author’s substantive position by analyzing his works, characterizing the source base and methods of criticizing the sources used. Braudel’s nomadism is not only a phenomenon of the steppes of Central Asia, the pastures of the Iranian Highlands, the sands of the Sahara, but an organic part of the life of the developing societies of the Iberian Peninsula, Provence, Apennines, Balkans, Asia Minor. F. Braudel was faced with the task of covering in its entirety the numerous problems associated with driving livestock to grazing and with the nomadic way of life, that is, with the regular movement of human masses and herds of livestock. Braudel revives the model of the nomadic life of the Balkans, Anatolia and North Africa. Here, in his opinion, different types of society, different types of economic management, different civilizations and ways of life collide. Braudel agrees with the identification of several types of seasonal movement of livestock. According to F. Braudel, seasonal movements of livestock are associated with a variety of factors: physical, social, historical. Nomadism, Braudel believes, has a more ancient origin than distant-pasture animal husbandry. Nomadic herders were gradually and consistently driven out of the inner plains and lowlands and were driven back to the mountainous outskirts and peripheral plains. An overabundance of empty spaces dooms, from the perspective of F. Braudel, society and economy to perpetual motion. He considered the pendulum movement of the steppe nomads to the sea, and then back from the sea to the desert to be one of the essential factors in the history of the Mediterranean. Nomadism, with its harsh closed “culture” speaks, according to F. Braudel, of obvious determinism.

Effects of between and within Herd Moves on Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) Recrudescence and Shedding in Captive Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus).

Haemorrhagic disease associated with elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (Elephantid herpesvirus, EEHV) infections is the leading cause of death for Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) calves. This study assessed the effect of captive herd management on EEHV shedding, as evidence of latent infection reactivation, focusing on: (1) the influence of social change on the odds of recrudescence; (2) the respective effects of between and within herd moves; and (3) characteristics of recrudescent viral shedding. Trunk and conjunctival swabs (n = 165) were obtained from six elephants at an EAZA-accredited zoo, collected during a period of social stability, and at times of social change. Longitudinal sampling took place at times of moving two bulls out of the collection and one new bull into an adjacent enclosure to the cow herd (between herd moves), and during a period of mixing this new bull with the cow herd to facilitate mating (within herd moves). Quantitative PCR was employed to detect EEHV 1a/b, 4a/b, and EF–1–α (housekeeping gene). Generalised estimating equations determined EEHV recrudescence odds ratios (OR) and relative viral DNA load. Sixteen EEHV 1a/b shedding events occurred, but no EEHV 4a/b was detected. All management-derived social changes promoted recrudescence (social change OR = 3.27, 95% CI = 0.412–26, p = 0.262; and between herd moves OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 0.178−14.4, p = 0.675), though within herd movements posed the most significant increase of EEHV reactivation odds (OR = 6.86, 95% CI = 0.823−57.1, p = 0.075) and demonstrated the strongest relative influence (post hoc Tukey test p = 0.0425). Shedding onset and magnitude ranged from six to 54 days and from 3.59 to 11.09 ΔCts. Differing challenges are associated with between and within herd movements, which can promote recrudescence and should be considered an exposure risk to naïve elephants.

A spatiotemporal analysis of cattle herd movement in relation to drinking-water sources: implications for Cryptosporidium control in rural Kenya.

Given the increasing evidence that domestic contact with livestock is a risk factor for child diarrhoea in low- and middle-income countries, there have been calls for greater quantification of human-livestock contact in such countries. This study aimed to quantify seasonality in cattle proximity to domestic water sources and household compounds and develop a preliminary landscape model of faecal deposition by cattle. A total of 120 cattle in smallholder herds in the Asembo area of Siaya County, Kenya, were tracked over 1 week in April 2018 to July 2018 and November 2018 to February 2019 using GPS tracking devices. Dung deposition and behaviour were observed among 33 cattle from these herds over 185.4 hours. Mean cattle home ranges were small at 3.78 km2 and 5.85 km2 in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. There were significant differences between seasons in home range size, distance travelled from the household, and time spent tethered, but not in the time spent at domestic water sources or home range overlap with other herds. On average, 0.76 dung deposition events/hour were observed, with higher frequency in bulls. Variation in cattle proximity to household compounds and water sources did not account for seasonal variation in child diarrhoea in this population. The preliminary landscape model of faecal deposition by cattle could be further developed to inform interventions for safe separation of livestock and people, such as fencing and separate water troughs.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11356-021-17888-3.

The emergence of collective knowledge and cumulative culture in animals, humans and machines.

The emergence of collective knowledge and cumulative culture in animals, humans and machines.

The value of transhumance for biodiversity conservation: Vulture foraging in relation to livestock movements

In recent decades, intensive techniques of livestock raising have flourished, which has largely replaced traditional farming practices such as transhumance. These changes may have affected scavengers’ behaviour and ecology, as extensive livestock is a key source of carrion. This study evaluates the spatial responses of avian scavengers to the seasonal movements of transhumant herds in south-eastern Spain. We surveyed the abundance of avian scavengers and ungulates, and analysed the factors affecting the space use by 30 GPS-tracked griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus). Griffons’ foraging activity increased in the pasturelands occupied by transhumant herds, which implied greater vulture abundance at the landscape level during the livestock season. In contrast, facultative scavengers were more abundant without transhumant livestock herds, and the abundance of wild ungulates did not change in relation to livestock presence. We conclude that fostering transhumance and other traditional farming systems, to the detriment of farming intensification, could favour vulture conservation.

Early Neolithic Husbandry in the Pre-Pyrenean Area. The Management of Herds at the Cova Colomera (Serra del Montsec, Spain) and Its Implications for the Early Occupation of the Region

AbstractThe Cova Colomera is located in the pre-Pyrenees, at a central point of a set of natural paths traditionally used by shepherds for herd movements. The Early Neolithic occupations documented in this cave (5250–4780 cal. BC) make it a key point for understanding the beginning of husbandry in the area. In this work, we present a zooarchaeological study of the macrofaunal remains recovered from these Early Neolithic occupations of the Cova Colomera. As observed at other sites in the region, the herds that occupied the Cova Colomera were mainly composed of domestic sheep and goats, raised for their milk and meat. Cattle, as well as a variety of wild animals, served as a food supplement and a source of secondary resources. The low number of recovered remains is interpreted as evidence of the low intensity and/or short duration of the occupations, which would have taken place at different times of the year, mainly in spring and autumn. This suggests that the Cova Colomera was used as a transient settlement during the movement of flocks. The data corroborate the idea that the natural resources of the pre-Pyrenees were exploited by the earliest shepherds in the Early Neolithic.